Hence, religion means those powers and forces which are supernatural, super-social and superhuman. Religion is a belief in some divine power. It may be pointed out that religion has two aspects, namely some sort of belief system and the rituals or the observance of certain actions to establish contact between the individual, and the supernatural power. Real meaning of Dharma is something different from the pure religion.

Dharma means the righteous way of living. It is intended to provide guidelines in all social action and to harmonize relation between Kama and Artha. According to R V. Kane, “The writers on Dharma Sastras meant by Dharma not a creed or religion but a mode of life or code of conduct which regulated a man’s work and activities as a member of society and as an individual and was intended to bring the gradual development of man and to enable him to reach what was deemed to be the goal of human existence. “Therefore, Dharma implies those rules according to which a man must behave as a member of society.

B.G. Gokhale has written, “And if there is any one concept that has permeated Indian thinking through the ages and created a consistent pattern of thought and behaviour for the large majority of the people it is that of Dharma. The term is of such wide implication that it is applied to determination and evaluation of all forms of human activities.”

Dharma has been equated to the performance of duties. It is said, do the duty even if it be humble, rather than other persons’ duty even if it be great. Dharma is the doctrine of the duties and rights of each in the ideal society and as such the law or mirror of all moral actions.

It is clear that Dharma has special significance for Hindus because Dharma is not a creed worship but a mode of life. Dharma represents social values and cultural norms. It is created for the welfare and happiness of man. It is a doctrine of duties and rights.

Forms of Dharma:

Dharma has been viewed in a larger sense to mean the duties a person has to perform. The Hindu social organization views the individual not only in terms of the personality of the individual but also as a member of the group. In this manner, Dharma can be understood at several levels of human existence.

Dharma is the First Purushartha:

The theory of Purushartha explains the management and conduct of life of the individual with regard to the group. Dharma has been given the most important place in the Purushartha system. If man pursues Artha and Kama without Dharma, he cannot attain Moksha. Dharma is the very basis of human life. Devoid of Dharma, man cannot pursue the correct course of life.

Various forms of Dharma are as follows:

Ashrams Dharma:

The theory of Purushartha finds concrete expression in the Ashrams system. The Ashrams system has been regarded as a place of work and the stages of life through which-a man passes his whole span of life. Accordingly, there are four Ashrams namely Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. A man is supposed to pay off three Rinas, namely Deva Rina, Rishi Rina and Pitri Rina. These Rinas can be fulfilled only by passing through the Ashrams system, particularly Grihastha Ashrams. In the Vanaprastha Ashrama, a man goes to the forest and lives the life of a hermit. In the Sanyasa Ashrams, a man has to free himself from all worldly bondage. In this way the Ashrams system prescribed Dharma or duties for every stage of human life.

Varna Dharma:

In ancient Hindu society there were four Varnas or classes. Each Varna was assigned a particular duty to perform and this duty was performed as a matter of Dharma. Whatever might have been the connotation of the Varna, one thing is clear that it was the division of society into various groups. Accordingly, Varna and Dharma meant the prescription of duties for various groups of people. According to Varna system, a man must follow the duties prescribed by his Varna. The Brahmin Varna is to teach, the Kshatnya Varna has to organize and manage the affairs of the society. The Vaishya Varna has to manage the economic affair and the Sudra Varna has to offer his service to the above three Varnas. The Varna Dharma defines the code of conduct and mode of life a person to follow.

Manava Dharma:

Hinduism can also be understood in terms of the religion of humanity. The aim of Manava Dharma or religion of humanity is to know the ultimate truth. According to Manava Dharma Sastra, Dharma is satisfaction, forgiveness, self-control, abstaination from irregular encroachment upon other’s life, control of the senses, and ultimate y to know the truth and reality. According to Vishnu Dharma Sastra, the religion of humanity includes tolerance, control” non-violence, devotion to teachers, sympathy and freedom from desires, and respect to elders.

Kula Dharma:

The kula Dharma includes the duties of a person and he has to perform his duties in accordance with Dharma prescribed for the householder. The Hindu Sastrakaras are of the opinion that man should not confine himself only to his own selfish interests. A person should not confine himself only to his own selfish interests. A person should offer part of his meals to Gods. Bhutas, guests, animals and saints and only after that he should at his own meal.

Yuga Dharma:

The Hindu Sastrakaras have made Hindu Dharma very dynamic and changeable. According to each age and circumstances, a man has to act and it is his duty to move and work according to the needs of times. Prabhu has remarked that Hindu Dharma has so fluctuations that even Adharma becomes Dharma if the situations so demands.

Raja Dharma:

Under this category, the duties have been mentioned according to which the ruler and the ruled must conduct their lives. The duty of Kshatriya is to protect the population. It is the duty of king to protect and safeguard the interests of the public. It is the duty of the public to obey the rules of the land and the dictates of the king.

Apat Dharma:

Duties have been prescribed to face the complexity of life. It is said that in times of emergency a Brahmin is allowed to follow the Dharma of Kshatnya and if it s not possible then he should follow the Dharma of Vaishya. In times of emergency even those things which are generally prohibited become the duty of individual if it can save the atma and Dharma. ,

It is clear that Dharma has been regarded as not only a moral scheme of life but also as the duties prescribed for various sections of the society. Dharma has great significance m Hindu society. It reminds all of their duties and social responsibilities. It is Dharma which acts as an arbitrator between Arha and Karma. Since Dharma is righteousness, therefore, it leads society on right path.